I roll my lip between my teeth, wanting so badly to burst with laughter. Most men would burn with rage and jealousy over their wives admiring another man, but it seems like this may be her M.O. and he knows it’s harmless.
“Hey man. Phoenix. Nice to meet you.”
“Ni-nice to meet you, sir. Wow.” Nico shakes his hand like a young boy meeting his role model.
“Phoenix. Please. Sir is not necessary,” he corrects.
“I’m the only one who can call him sir.” Cecilia’s hand muffles Vivian’s words.
“Please excuse her. I would say something is wrong with her, but I’m afraid she’s perfectly sane. Simply filter-less.”
Vivian smacks her hand away and stands as tall as her little frame will let her.
“Nico, let me introduce you to some very important people. Phoenix. Care to join us?” Luca reaches out and places his arm on his shoulder, steering him in the opposite direction.
Phoenix agrees and the men walk off, and I stand uncomfortably between the two women, wondering if I should take my leave or follow the men.
“So. Valentina.” Vivian takes my arm and pulls me towards the bar, answering my internal question ofshould I stay or should I go.“How did you land that hot, young man? Good job, by the way.”
“Oh no. We’re not dating. I’m just his date for the event. That’s all.” We step up to the bar where the bartender stops dead in his tracks, mouth open like he’s waiting for the dentist to check for cavities.
I don’t blame the guy. Walking with the two gorgeous women as every head turns their way is definitely jaw dropping.
“He was not looking at you like he was just your escort. His eyes saidlet’s find a dark hallway and–”
“Vivian! Jesus. Not everyone is a crazed pervert like you and Phoenix. You don’t need to announce your sexcapades to the entire world. Spare this poor bartender the details.” Cecilia gives Vivian a look and shushes her before ordering a Blanton neat, and a glass of red wine.
“What? I’m just telling it like it is. He wants you.” Vivian moves past us and gives the bartender her order.
I don’t hear what she says because my mind is still replaying her words on loop.He wants me?I’m sure it’s not for anymore than a quick roll in the hay like most of his conquests. And I refuse to be just a notch on his bedpost. He’s my client and I’m here to do my job and only my job.
“Well that won’t be happening. I’ll have red wine, as well.” I give them my blanket statement and move on.
It’s a skill I’ve mastered over the years. Don’t leave any room for speculation or follow-up questions. Say it with authority then move on.
Our drinks are placed in front of us and we go in search of our dates so that Cecilia and Vivian can pass along their husband’s drinks. I, on the other hand, didn’t order a drink for Nico but I still need to keep a very close eye on him. He’s like a toddler. It would only take a minute for him to see something shiny and go chasing after it. The shiny thing would be a beautiful woman, which are in no short supply here tonight.
“There she is!” A booming voice echoes over the crowd, and like everyone else, I turn to locate the origin –though I have a feeling I already know.
And as suspected, Monty comes walking my way, wearing a white tuxedo and shiny silver bowtie. He looks like Colonel Sanders minus the bucket of chicken. I half expect a life sized chicken drumstick to pop out from behind him like it’s the Broadway musical of how the Colonel came to be.
He pushes through the crowd with a gorgeous blonde right on his heels. She’s a bit younger than him –I would say in her early fifties– and she matches his white and silver attire, but with more elegance and less theatrics.
“Hello Monty. Don’t you look spiffy.” I kiss his cheek and I’m immediately brought into a hug.
“You are a vision. Almost as beautiful as my wife.” He reaches behind him and tugs her close, wrapping his arm around her waist.
“She’smorebeautiful. Hello dear. I’m Killeen. So wonderful to finally meet you.”
“Yes. Likewise. Monty is always talking about his gorgeous wife but he definitely did not embellish enough.” I shake her hand that must be weighed down by that boulder she passes off as a diamond on her finger. “Monty. You married way up.”
He winks and with a boisterous laugh says, “It’s the money. Don’t let her tell you any different.”
“Oh you bugger.” Killeen smacks his arm and he grabs it before she can pull away, kissing the back of it and staring at her like a lovestruck teenager.
There was a time in my life that I wished for a man like that. One who would look at me like I hung the moon and the stars. One who would sayI can’t believe my good luck to have this woman. But I grew up and realized that a man like that doesn’t exist beyond the borders of books and movies.
While Cecilia and Vivian say their pleasantries and leave to find their men, I stand with the Montgomery’s, talking and laughing about various things, and getting pulled from one Houston big shot to another. Many tell me of all the wonderful things they’ve heard from Monty.
